Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1766-1871
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†FELL, v.2, n.5
I. v. To befall, be the lot of, esp. in impers. construction weel fells . . ., lucky is. . . . Cf. Fa, v.1, n.1Fif. 1766 Session Papers, Hunter v. Robb (27 Sept.) 36:
Well fell me now that Sir Hary Erskine died; for I would neither have gotten iron nor coals.Abd. 1768 A. Ross The Fortunate Shepherdess 28:
Well fells the lad, that's farthest i' your books.Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore 71:
I think I never saw a better sport. But dool fell'd Tam, for sadly he paid for't.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 164:
Weel fells ye, honest carle.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 199:
Well fells me now, my ain gude lord; These words do cherish me.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb ii.:
Aye, aye, the fader o' 'im was a lang-heidit schaimin' carle, an' weel fells the sin for that.
II. n. Lot, fate, destiny (Abd., Kcd., Ags. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 43:
He kens the word, and says, alake my fell!Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 115:
Ah! wae's my fell! My manhood, now, gaed clean awa.
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"Fell v.2, n.5". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/fell_v2_n5>
